Since the start of District 15-3A competition, Troup sports a 6-3 mark, including six wins in seven games. The Lady Tigers were slated to conclude the regular season as host to Winona Tuesday, April 18. Troup routed the Ladycats 22-1 at Winona in the first meeting between the two teams, so it is very likely the Lady Tigers finished with a win.

Before the final game with Winona, Troup was 13-14 for the season, and the Lady Tigers will advance into the playoffs with a 6-3 district mark. Troup had already clinched second place in the district standings before Tuesday’s match with Winona.

For the last two wins, Trout edged West Rusk by a single run for the second time, 11-10, and dominated Sabine 12-1.

Troup 11, West Rusk 10

It took a seven-run rally in the seventh and final inning to pull out the victory over the Lady Raiders. Troup led 1-0 after the first inning, but it was all West Rusk for the next five innings. The Lady Raiders pulled out to a 2-1 lead after two frames, and plated four runs in the third stanza for a 6-3 lead. Troup did cut the lead by a run in the fourth frame, but West Rusk added three more runs in the fifth inning and a single run in the sixth inning for a 10-4 advantage.

Troup rallied for the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Needing a run to force extra innings, West Rusk pitcher Makana Morton hit double to center field to put a runner on board. On a sacrifice fly to center field, Morton went to third base. The next West Rusk batter attempted to bunt but was called out for running into the ball in fair territory. Troup pitcher Tayler Vance struck out the final batter swinging for the third strike to end the game and strand Morton at third base.

“There are no words that can describe how or what I feel for this special group of young ladies. Just when you think they have surprised you, there they go again and up their game even more,” said head coach Sam Weeks.

Vance finished the game with four strikeouts, including the final one to clinch the victory. She yielded 10 hits, including a double, and four earned runs. She also walked three.

Renee Dennis belted a double and a single, and she drove in three runs for the Tigers. Vance also slugged a double and drove in two runs, and Kori Minnix smacked two singles and drove in a pair of runs. Emily Neel and Drea Austin each smacked two singles and drove in a run, and Alyssa Hearon hit two singles.

Troup batters struck out three times and reach via a walk twice. Each squad recorded eight errors.

Troup 12, Sabine 1

The Lady Tigers scored two runs in the first inning, which would have been enough for the victory. Troup added a run in the second frame and pushed the lead to 9-0 after three innings. A 3-1 edge in the fifth inning was enough to call the game.

Hearon ripped the only extra base hit for the Lady Tigers with a double, and she added a single and drove in three runs during the contest. Neel and Minnix each hit a pair of singles and drove in three runs, Dennis and Vance each recorded a single and an RBI, and Hanna McCommas and Asia Parker each hit a single. Austin finished with an RBI.

In the circle, Vance fanned 10 batters and walked four. She allowed one hit, a single, and no earned runs.